Leslie Allen Mize

Marinwood resident for more than half a century, Les Mize passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the age of 78 on April 4, 2024, after a long battle with multiple health challenges. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather and deeply committed to his family and his community, Les leaves a legacy of service and love that will continue to inspire all who knew him.

Born in San Francisco on October 12, 1945, to Marie and Robert Mize, Les grew up in Mill Valley as one of eight children. An active youth and a 1963 graduate of Tamalpais High School, Les was keen to be an involved citizen. As a teen, he sought out volunteer opportunities. In addition to being the youngest member to join the Mill Valley Lions Club, at the age of 18, he was active with the Mill Valley Junior Chamber of Commerce. These formative experiences instilled in him a sense of commitment to service and community and solidified for him the merits of hard work and earning the respect of others—values that would shape his life's journey.

A self-proclaimed flag-waver and patriotic to his core, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves. From 1965 to 1971 his service (which included army cook) and basic training took him to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as well as summers at Fort Ord and Camp Roberts. Les remained a card-carrying member of the local branch of the American Legion.

It was during these years that Les met the love of his life, Patty Vaio, at John Finn Accounting in Mill Valley, where they both worked at the time. Their first official date was a New Year’s Eve event ushering in the year 1969, and the happy couple married that summer, forging an incredible partnership in love and life.

In 1970, Les and Patty moved to Marinwood, and by 1972 began a family—welcoming six children within ten years. Both being dog lovers they welcomed several dogs to their home over the years—including many yellow labs! They became active in their parish of St. Isabella, where many of the children attended grade school. Les and Patty immersed themselves in the lives and activities of their children. From little league and soccer coach to Irish dance and musical theater dad; from parish and school leadership to years as a Boy Scout Troop 71 Committee Chair, Les was invested in the lives of his children.

A gifted salesman, Les found success in the commercial print industry. Initially with George Lithograph Company, Les teamed up with the Fong family in 1976—a partnership that marked the beginning of Fong Brothers Printing, Inc.—a company that went on to become the third largest commercial printer in Northern California. After more than forty years as the company’s Vice President, Les retired in 2016 but remained involved with a handful of clients to the present day. Les and the whole Mize family truly cherished the nearly half-century partnership with the entire Fong family and have nothing but gratitude for the friendship and opportunities afforded.

Perhaps a unique hallmark of his success in sales was his passion for Mickey Mouse. Clients nicknamed him Mickey Mouse and loved seeing what tie or wristwatch he was wearing, or what aloha-style Disney shirt he might have on—that inevitably came with a story or trivia session. Even his office was decked out with Disney memorabilia and came to be a coveted stopping point on any plant tour.

Growing up admiring the Mickey Mouse Club and a fan of the wholesome family values on which Walt Disney based the creation of his theme park, Les was excited to make his first trip to Disneyland in 1973. He immediately fell in love with the entire concept—the beautiful landscaped gardens and pathways, a place to play and have fun as a family, wonderful music and entertainment, the cleanliness—he felt at home on Main Street U.S.A. and would spend the rest of his life sharing, visiting, collecting, endeavoring to re-create and emulate, investing in, and learning more about all things Disney.

Les loved taking his family to Disneyland, and later he and Patty expanded their park visits to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The two attended multiple Disneyana Conventions and events and enjoyed opportunities to meet artists, authors, Imagineers, and entertainers—and there were plenty of opportunities to add to his growing collection with limited edition and signed collectibles. He took countless Disney courses, earning not only his Mouseters Certificate but his Ducktorate Certificate as well.

His love of Disney was perhaps only rivaled by his love of Christmas. Over four decades and with the help of an ever-expanding family that came to include sons- and daughters-in-law and grandchildren, Les and his family, affectionately known as Team Mize, built up a seasonal spectacle that became a holiday destination for generations of visitors. The Mickey Mouse Christmas House offered extensive window displays, various vignettes, and tens of thousands of lights, and the magic of Christmas was shared broadly. The Mize Family and their Christmas creation were featured on ABC’s inaugural season of “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” as well as several local network Christmas specials, and various features in newspapers and magazines.

Les enjoyed supporting local initiatives such as Can Do! and Kelly’s Wishes Foundations through the Mickey Mouse Christmas House. During the farewell season in 2017, Les and his family were delighted to receive a special Resolution from the Marin County Board of Supervisors presented by then-Supervisor (now California State Assemblyman) and fellow Lion Damon Connolly, recognizing the impact the Mickey Mouse Christmas House had on the community. In addition, Les was honored to receive a similar recognition from the Marinwood Community Services District (CSD).

Les and his family shared a love of Lake Tahoe and purchased a vacation home in Chamberlands on the West Shore in 1978. Since then, Les was involved with the Chambers Landing Beach and Mountain Club (CBMC) Board and became a Director. He remained active on the Board until very recently, having served as President for some ten years. When the Chamber’s Landing Recreation Association was formed around 1982, Les became one of the first Directors on the Board—holding leadership positions several times over including President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Les remained active on the Board for the rest of his life and was the last remaining original Board member still serving. He was compelled to serve to ensure that the place he and his wife and children grew to know and love would remain and thrive for future generations. At a time when the historic Chambers Landing Bar and Restaurant were put up for sale and risked an uncertain future, it was Les and a couple of other Recreation Association members who took the initiative and invested personally, created the Pier Company, and sold stock shares—a move which ensured the preservation of cherished landmarks. Winter snow weekends and summer boat rides with family were great, but Les loved to sink his feet into the hot summer sand on the beach at Chambers with his newspaper in hand and relax at the end of the day with a Chambers Punch!

Les never did anything small or halfway. Dating back to his teen years, his dedication to Lion’s Club was unparalleled, as indicated by his 59 years of perfect attendance. Having served twice as President in his Mill Valley Lion’s Club, Les chartered the San Rafael Las Gallinas Lion’s Club in March of 1980. He served as Charter President for the club’s first seven years and at other junctures as well. Twice named Lion of the Year in the Mill Valley Club and three times in the Las Gallinas Club, Les earned many distinctions: Lions International Life Member; Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow; Lions Eye Foundation Life Member; Helen Keller Fellow; Canine Companions Life Member; Ear of the Lion Life Member; Multi-District 4 Excellence Award recipient. Les also served three times as Lion Zone Chair and two years as Region Chair.

The pinnacle of his Lion’s Club experience was serving as District Governor for his District 4C-2 in 2017-18. In that year, he made visitations to the 55 clubs in the region, participated in countless events, helped facilitate local Lions relief efforts during the 2017 wildfires in Northern California that devastated many of the communities in his district, energized membership drives, and served as an ambassador for all Lions initiatives.

With his local Club, Les was instrumental in creating many annual and long-lived traditions such as the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Marinwood Park, which just hosted its 45th annual hunt. With his fellow Lions, Les was always on hand to feed the masses with his signature corned beef at the Annual St. Patrick’s Day party, host and judge a youth speech contest, emcee a Halloween costume parade, fill countless shifts of Marin County Fair Parking, volunteer at a community event, recruit new (and re-engage former) members, and much, much more!

He was a lifelong SF Giants and 49ers fan and, an avid reader of the San Francisco Chronicle and the Marin Independent Journal (an IJ carrier as a boy!). He enjoyed his garden, cooking, and a nice Cabernet Sauvignon. He kept up with current events, invited discourse, and was firm and consistent in his opinions. He was a conscientious and faithful voter and encouraged each of his children to register when they turned 18, as was their right and duty.

Known to the next generation of Team Mize as Papa Mic, Les loved watching his grandchildren grow and develop. From his classic Donald Duck voice and trips to Disneyland to sharing his love of Chambers over a summertime ice cream treat or a Shirley Temple, he cherished his time with them.

Les lived life on his terms. As a couple of his favorites, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, crooned, he “did it my way.” Les was a bit of a character, a good judge of character, and a man of character—a man of principles, faith, and family. He was a collector—of things and memories. He had a hard time letting go of anything, a quality that gave him the fight to persist when his body was failing. While his retirement years were marred with health issues, he made the most of the time he had and accomplished much in his 78 years. The Mize family wishes to thank the many doctors, specialists, and healthcare workers, particularly through his many stays at Marin Health Medical Center, who treated Les and helped him eke out as many more memories as his body could manage.

Les Mize is predeceased by his parents Marie and Robert Mize, four brothers, and two sisters; and is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 55 years, Patricia; his six children, Eileen Mize, John (Tricia) Mize, Karen (Jeremiah) Gill, Megan (Sean) Albright, Scott (Danielle) Mize, and Ryan (Hilary) Mize; nine grandchildren—Alyssa, Dylan, Delaney, Quinlan, Patrick, Connor, Peter, Mackenzie, and Cody; his brother Charles (Piedad) Mize; many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews; and countless friends and fellow Lions.

Les will be remembered fondly for his kindness, generosity, long-winded stories, sense of humor, and unwavering commitment to his family and his community. He will be forever missed and never forgotten. In the words of his hero, Walt Disney, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” And echoing the words of his pal, Mickey, “Oh, Boy!” Did he ever!

All are welcome to a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 1 pm at St. Isabella’s Church (One Trinity Way, San Rafael, CA 94903) with a reception to follow. Gifts in memory of Les Mize may be made to the Las Gallinas Lions Club who support many local and youth programs in Marin County at www.lasgallinaslions.com. 

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